Punjab's Opposition Leader Moves High Court Alleging Unfair Live Telecast Of State Assembly

Punjab's leader of opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa has moved the High Court alleging that the camera in the State Assembly during Live Telecast is unfocussed and the entirety of the speech is not shown when opposition MLAs are speaking, as compared to the telecast of the ruling party.

Bajwa submits that when the ruling party members are speaking, the camera is focused and the entirety of the audio is picked up as well as "camera is zoomed into the AAP speaker" to make it clear who is speaking.

The petitioner has also annexed various shots of the Vidhan Sabha stating that it showcases the unequal treatment towards the opposition.

MLAs of the opposition and MLAs of the government are both representatives of their respective constituency, hence the discrimination trickles down to subjecting their constituents to discrimination, the plea contends. 

It is stated that a representation in this regard was sent to the Speaker, however the concern was not addressed. 

Adding that the action of respondents are discriminatory against opposition MLAs and violative of right to equality, the petitioner seeks direction to the State, Speaker and Secretary to Legislative Assembly to give equal coverage to the opposition MLAs during live broadcast of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Session.

The matter is listed for hearing on November 22.

Case Title: Pratap Singh Bajwa v. State of Punjab.